Thursday, November 01, 2007

Penn State's Daily Collegian is reporting the school's chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity has been suspended by both its international office and the university and may receive a disorderly conduct citation for its alleged role in actions captured in a YouTube video filmed on Saturday.

We applaud Penn State for taking this action and can only hope it leads to even more vigilance at colleges across the country in cracking down on unruly fan behavior.

NEWS RELEASENovember 1, 2007For immediate release:The State College Police Department has concluded its investigation into an event that was recently broadcast on a popular internet personal video sharing site. The video clip captured an event that occurred on Saturday, October 27, 2007, at 417 E. Prospect Avenue in the Borough of State College. The video depicts a victim being pelted with beer cans as he walked through an outdoor fraternity party. Based on evidence gathered from the online video clip and corroborated by the victim and witnesses at the party, summary charges have been filed in connection with the case.In citations filed today before Magisterial District Judge Carmine Prestia, Richard Eisenberger Jr., age 20, of Easton, PA, was charged with Disorderly Conduct and Harassment. The information charges that Eisenberg, a University of Pittsburgh student, did strike the victim with a beer can about the neck and that he also created public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm by engaging in fighting or tumultuous behavior. The victim, a 21 year old Ohio State University student, reported receiving a minor bruise to his neck from the attack. The injury did not require medical treatment.Additionally, the fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha, at 417 E. Prospect Avenue, has been charged with the summary offense of Disorderly Conduct as host of the party that resulted in the disorderly and unlawful behavior displayed by many of its guests.Sgt. Keith Robb

18 comments:

The State College Police Department has concluded its investigation into an event that was recently broadcast on a popular internet personal video sharing site. The video clip captured an event that occurred on Saturday, October 27, 2007, at 417 E. Prospect Avenue in the Borough of State College. The video depicts a victim being pelted with beer cans as he walked through an outdoor fraternity party. Based on evidence gathered from the online video clip and corroborated by the victim and witnesses at the party, summary charges have been filed in connection with the case.

In citations filed today before Magisterial District Judge Carmine Prestia, Richard Eisenberger Jr., age 20, of Easton, PA, was charged with Disorderly Conduct and Harassment. The information charges that Eisenberg, a University of Pittsburgh student, did strike the victim with a beer can about the neck and that he also created public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm by engaging in fighting or tumultuous behavior. The victim, a 21 year old Ohio State University student, reported receiving a minor bruise to his neck from the attack. The injury did not require medical treatment.

Additionally, the fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha, at 417 E. Prospect Avenue, has been charged with the summary offense of Disorderly Conduct as host of the party that resulted in the disorderly and unlawful behavior displayed by many of its guests.

The truth or the details don't matter, it's what the story/video says at face value. Even the news channels don't bother gathering credible background information anymore before they play these things... they just play it and hire some random "analyst" to talk about it.

In addition:These days, you can't crap safely in an alleyway because someone is going to be filming it. If you're hosting a party, hire security personnel to withhold the following items at the door: Cameras, Videocams, Cellphones with cameras, and any small gadget that could contain a camera.

...and car keys, of course!

(I'm sorry to use that "crapping in the alleyway analogy, I don't know why it was the first thing that came to my mind).

Matthew,you suggestions (hiring security personnel) are very wise, but wouldn't help in this case. It's alleged that the person that put up the YouTube video (traced by the account name) is the vice-President of the PSU "pike" chapter (he, also, coincidentally happens to be a film major, so my $$$ is on the fact that he's also the d-bag behind the camera). There's no way that security would stop a chapter vice president from doing anything (he'd be one of the people in charge of paying them)

As a frequent reader, not so frequent commenter and life long Penn State, I must say I appreciate your continuing candor and dedication to reporting the updates about the incident this past weekend.

It would be very easy for bloggers and reporters to not follow up on a story and allow the initial reaction of disdain, disgust and shame to linger.

Reading your continued support of the Penn State fan base through our shame is much appreciated. Should our paths ever cross in the support of our respective teams, I would be honored to buy you all a drink.

Just wanted to generally extend props to you for largely resisting the "reap what you sow" comments through your coverage of this incident. Given the level of disdain permeating your blog, it was quite touching to see even a bit of admiration for the Buckeye who didn't give Eisenberger what he probably had coming.

I say "largely resisting" because I did follow your link. Sorry you had such a difficult time in Columbus. Back when I was there, the spoonerism "Muck Fichigan" was used rather than less subtle alternative you photo-documented.

However, I would encourage you to go to The Game next year. Bring a video camera. Hearing someone complain does tend to just come off as whining. Seeing the video is largely what seems to be making the difference in this instance.

A University of Pittsburgh student and Penn State's chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity have both been charged with disorderly conduct by the State College Police Department upon completion of its investigation of the party events caught on tape Saturday.

Pittsburgh student Richard Eisenberger, Jr., 20, of Easton, was additionally charged with harassment for his alleged actions in the Saturday incident at Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, 417 E. Prospect Ave., according to a press release from police. Police worked with the victim and other attendees of the party to identify the aggressor.

Eisenberger was identified by police as the man throwing beer cans in close range at an Ohio State University fan in a YouTube video that surfaced on the Internet Tuesday. The video showed a crowd yelling obscenities, encouraging the aggressor, and additional beer cans being thrown by others not shown on camera.

Teddy Kimlingen, rush and recruitment chair for Pi Kappa Alpha at Ohio State, is seen in the video leaving the yard. The press release cites but does not name the other Ohio State student, 21, who was the focus of the attacks. Kimlingen said the unnamed victim is not a member of the fraternity.

The two were visiting for the weekend with Wylie Stemple, the Ohio State chapter's social chair, Kimlingen said. The Ohio State students attended a party at Pi Kappa Alpha's house Friday night and encountered no trouble, he added.

The men were invited back to the tailgate, but when the three entered the backyard at about 3:30 p.m. Saturday, they stayed only briefly because the heckling started immediately, Kimlingen said.

The video, which caught the brunt of the violence, was taken as the Ohio State students were leaving the yard, Kimlingen said.

As Kimlingen and the unnamed victim headed for the gate, Stemple said he spoke to someone from the Penn State chapter who said it probably wasn't safe for them to stay. A Penn State Pi Kappa Alpha member then escorted Stemple through the gate, Kimlingen added.

The unnamed victim sustained injuries that Stemple said swelled and needed some ice, but the victim did not need medical attention. He added that the injuries lasted for a few days.

"People are angry about it, definitely," Stemple said about reactions since the incident. "It could happen anywhere when people start drinking like that."

After Saturday's football game, the three Ohio State men had planned on staying at Penn State's Pi Kappa Alpha house, but decided they wouldn't because of the altercation.

After not hearing from Penn State by Monday, the Ohio State chapter sent a letter to the Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity.

Penn State's chapter of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity has been suspended by both their fraternity's international office and by Penn State's Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life.

Andrew Scott, Ohio State's Pi Kappa Alpha chapter president, said if the same thing had happened there, fraternity members would have stepped in to stop it.

Scott said the international office responded, "conveying to us that this wasn't the way that the organization was, and they were very upset that this order of events took place."

Teddy Kimlingen's father, also named Ted, sent a letter to The Daily Collegian, which says although his son expected to get some "razzing" for being there, he did not expect being "potentially physically charged, spit upon or being doused with beers."

His son said the Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity is a "classy organization full of gentlemen."

"The few Penn State Pikes did not represent what we do," he said. "I know that if they could take it back, they would in a heartbeat."

Apologies may not be enough to repair the relationship between the Penn State and Ohio State chapters of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, but two student organizations will try to change fan behavior.

The University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) is writing an apology letter to send to Ohio State's student government, and will also encourage fans to behave better at Penn State, said UPUA President Hillary Lewis (senior-international politics and public relations). The letter will be introduced at next Wednesday's meeting and will most likely be sent the next day, she added.

Members of Penn State's Interfraternity Council (IFC) will hand out fliers to tailgating Purdue University fans as a welcome gesture tomorrow. IFC president Grant Miller (senior-English) said that although they know they can't change what happened, they can try to make Purdue fans feel welcome.

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